Interlock for multiple totalizer metering apparatus



R. M. WILSON 3,422,676

INTERLOCK FOR MULTIPLE TOTALIZER METERING APPARATUS "Jan. 21, 1969 Sheet of 5 Filed Jan. 18, 1967 INVENTOR. RONALD M. WILSON ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 21, 1969 WILSONv 3,422,676

INTERLOCK FOR MULTIPLE TOTALIZER METERING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 18, 1967 Sheet g of 5 INVENTOR. RONALD M. WILSON FWD/+ 21 ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 21, 1969 R. M. WILSON 3,422,676

INTERLOCK FOR MULTIPLE TOTALIZER METERING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 18, 1967 Sheet 5 0f 5 INVENTOR. RONALD M. WILSON @Ahw ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An apparatus for independently controlling the flow through a metering device. The metering device has a number of independently controlled totalizers. The controls for the totalizers coact with a single lock bar which regulates their use. A pin is disposed on the lock bar which normally interferes with the movement of a lever forming a part of an interlock mechanism by means of which a handle is prevented from being depressed which in turn prevents a valve from being opened, and thus fluid is prevented from flowing through the meter. When the lock bar is moved by any one of the independent totalizer controls, it in turn moves the pin out of interfering relation with the lever and allows the valve to be opened. In this position the lever will interfere with the return movement of the pin and lock bar, and therefore, the valve would have to be closed thus returning the lever to its original position in order that the independent totalizer control could return the lock bar to its normal position.

Cross-reference to related patent Reference is made to US. Patent 3,306,536, issued Feb. 28, 1967.

Background of the invention This invention relates generally to fluid metering apparatus, and more particularly, to controlled access metering apparatus having multiple totalizers connected to the meter, each totalizer being independently actuated by separate locking means, and each connected to a common interlock means to permit the use of only one totalizer to the exclusion of the others when fluid is flowing through the meter.

If the apparatus just described is to be used in a system having a common source of fluid under pressure attendant to more than one meter, it is desirable to provide means to control the flow of fluid through each meter independently of the remaining meters. It is also advantageous to have an interlock between the control means on the fluid pressure line and the independent control means for the totalizers for each meter, so that an authorized user may independently control the use of a particular totalizer and automatically control the flow of fluid through the meter.

Summary of the invention The present invention provides a simple, inexpensive and effective means for achieving the aforementioned desirable results. It covers an interlock means connected between the control means for the fluid pressure lines to a metering means and the control means for a plurality of controlled access totalizers associated with the metering means. It prevents the use of the metering means while the control means for the totalizers is in the off position, and automatically permits use of the metering means when any one of the control means for the totalizers is moved to the on position. It further prevents the totalizers from being disconnected from the metering means prior to closing the fluid pressure lines to the metering means.

Patented Jan. 21, 1969 Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a simple, effective and novel interlock means for use in a metering apparatus to permit use of the apparatus automatically upon authorized access and control of a particular totalizer associated with the metering device.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an interlock means in association with a metering means which will prevent the use of the metering means without the use of a totalizer associated with the metering means.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a continuously pressurized fluid system having a plurality of metering devices at various points in the system, each metering device having a plurality of independently controlled totalizers, wherein means are provided to automatically permit the use of a metering means upon the use of a single totalizer associated with said metering means.

Brief description of the drawing FIG. 1 represents a schematic illustration of a pressure fluid system having separate meters and separate control means for the totalizers associated with each meter, each of said control means being mechanically interlocked, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of this invention, with the fluid flow regulating means to each of said meters;

FIG. 2 is an elevation in perspective of a single metering apparatus partially broken away to show the fluid pressure lines, the metering means, the control means, and a portion of the interlock;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary rear elevation of a portion of the metering apparatus shown in FIG. 2 with the cover removed showing in detail the interlock and a broken away portion of the control means for the totalizers;

FIG. 4 is a view along the line IVIV in FIG. 3 of a portion of the interlock; and

FIG. 5 is a further detail of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3 showing a portion of the interlock in its operating position in full lines and in its normally closed position in phantom.

Description of the preferred embodiments Although specific forms of the invention have been selected for illustration in the drawings, and the following description is drawn in specific terms for the purpose of describing those formsof the invention, this description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is defined in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a continuously pressurized fluid system comprising a source of fluid under pressure generally designated P, which could be a pump and motor or any other suitable means. Such a source of fluid under pressure is often found in industrial plants, wherein pressurized lines, such as those shown at 10a and 10b, serve to distribute fiuid under pressure throughout the plant, and more particularly, to distribute the fluid through various independently operated dispensing means such as those designated generally 11a and 11b.

In order to meter the flow through the dispensing means, a meter, such as one of those generally designated M in FIG. 1, is interposed in the fluid line between the pressure fluid source and the discharge, shown generally by the arrows D. To keep a record of the quantity of fluid discharged, meters are often provided with cumulative totalizers. In certain metered systems, it is desirable to independently record the amount of fluid used by a particular user; and in such systems, the meter is equipped with multiple totalizers, which in turn are controlled by independent locking means, thereby providing for only authorized access to the metering device, as shown in United States Patent 3,306,536. As illustrated therein the use of each totalizer is mutually exclusive. Furthermore, until one totalizer is put into use the pumps or source of pressure fluid cannot be activated, because the control for the totalizer not only engages the totalizer with the meter, but also arms a switch circuit for the pumps or other pressure fluid source.

The present invention uses a meter with multiple totalizers, similar to that shown in United States Patent 3,306,536, in a system wherein the device for pressurizing the fluid is already in operation, so that the fluid lines in the system are continuously pressurized. According to my invention an interlock is connected between the controls for the totalizers and the control or regulator in the continuously pressurized line which is connected to the meter.

This type of system shown schematically in FIG. 1, can

be illustrated conveniently by reference to an in-plant gasoline pumping system, wherein the gasoline lines are constantly under pressure and a number of dispensers are placed at various stations throughout an industrial plant. Each dispenser would preferably be similar to that shown in FIG. 2 (designated 11a to correspond to the dispenser shown schematically in FIG. 1). In FIG. 2 the dispenser is fed by a pressurized line a which is connected to a meter 12 through a valve 13. When the valve is opened, fluid will flow through the meter and out the discharge hose 14. Windows are provided in the face of the meter for displaying totals such as quantity and price.

Of more particular interest, are the plurality of totalizers and their controls shown at 15. These totalizers are connected to the meter 12 by means of a shaft 16 which will rotate when fluid is passing through the meter 12 and which transmits its rotational motion to the particular totalizer in use. Each totalizer, such as that shown at 17, has attendant to it a lock cylinder 18 which has provision therein for insertion of a key. When the key is inserted into the lock cylinder it may be rotated as a result of which the particular totalizer associated with that lock cylinder will engage a shaft means, and the motion from the shaft 16 will be transmitted to the totalizer 17, so that the amount of fluid passing through the meter 12 will will be recorded on the totalizer 17 (The mechanism for carrying out this particular portion of my invention is more fully described in United States Patent No. 3,306,536.)

Connected to the rear of the plurality of totalizers and controls is a mechanical interlock generally designated 20 (FIG. 3), which is also connected to the valve 13 and the handle 19, and which functions to control the use of the dispensing apparatus, as will be more fully described hereinafter in connection with FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.

Referring to FIG. 3, the shaft 16 is shown connected by means of beveled gears to shafts 21 and 22. In the position shown, the valve 13 is closed and fluid is not flowing through the meter 12, so that the shafts 16, 21, and 22 are not rotating.

The lock cylinders are all in the locked position, so that the pins 24 which protrude through the slots in the lock bar 23 are all similarly disposed. Rotation of any one pin will determine the position of the lock bar 23 and will also move one of the latch bars 28 thereby controlling the engagement of a particular totalizer with its associated shaft. (This movement will be more fully described in connection with FIG. 5.) As shown, however, none of the totalizers are connected. A lever 25 is connected for rotation, as at 26, to the back cover 27 of the casing for the totalizers and controls 15. A pin 30 which is fixedly connected to the look bar 23 protrudes through a slotted opening in the back cover 27. In the position shown the pin 30 interferes with counterclockwise rotation of the lever 25 about the point 26. At one end of the lever 25, a rod 31 is disposed through the lever 25 so as to be rotatable therein. The other end of the rod 31 is disposed through a plate 32 and is likewise rotatable therein. The plate 32 is fixedly connected to the shaft 33 so as to rotate 4 therewith. Thus were the shaft 33 to be rotated, as shown by the arrow, (FIGS. 3 and 4) the rod 31 would travel downward and the lever 25 would be rotated counterclockwise about the point 26. Such rotation is, of course, prevented in FIG. 3 by the pin 30 which interferes with the lever 25.

A second rod 34- is rotatably mounted in the plate 32, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The other end of the second rod 34, forms a valve stem which operates the valve 13, to regulate the flow of fluid through the valve. It will be understood that other means could be interposed between the plate 32 and the valve 13 to regulate the flow through the valvewithout departing from the scope of this invention; the principle being illustrated by the valve stem 34 is that the means for regulating the flow is directly controlled by the interlock to the totalizer controls.

Thus, referring to FIG. 4, if the shaft 33 were rotated, as shown by the arrow, the stem 34 of the valve 13 would be withdrawn allowing fluid to flow therethrough. The shaft 33 itself is mounted for rotation in the dispensing apparatus and may be rotated by depressing the handle 19, FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 5, a portion of the interlock and totalizer controls is shown in the operating position. After a key has been inserted into a lock cylinder, such as 18, the cylinder may be rotated. Rotation of the cylinder causes the pin 24 to move in the slot 29 and raise the lock bar 23 from the position shown in phantom to the position shown in full lines. Simultaneously the latch bar 28 is moved to the left in the mechanism and the gears 36 mesh, thereby placing the totalizer 17 in driving engagement with the shaft 21. Thus were the shaft to rotate a total would be recorded on the totalizer 17.

Note that movement of the lock bar has not in itself started fluid flowing through the meter 12. However, it has raised the pin 30 in the slot in the back cover 27, so

that the lever 25 may now be rotated in a counterclockwise direction. The rotation is accomplished, as previously described in connection with FIG. 3, by depressing the handle 19, FIG. 3 and rotating the shaft 33, FIGS. 3 and 4. Thus the rod 31 will move downward from its phantom position, FIG. 5 to that position shown in full lines, and the lever 25 will be rotated thereby from the position shown in phantom to that shown in full lines.

Upon rotation of the shaft 33, FIG. 3 the rod 34 forming the valve stem will also be retracted, so that the valve will be open and fluid will flow through the meter 12. When this happens, the shaft 16 will rotate and this rotational motion is transmitted to the shaft 21, so that the totalizer 17, FIG. 5 will record the amount of fluid flowing through the meter.

A further advantage is provided by the notch 36 in the lever 25 which engages the pin 30, as shown in FIG. 5. The notch 36 locks in beneath the pin 30 on the lock bar 23, so that the lock bar cannot be returned to its original position without first moving the lever 25 back to its original position. In order to move the lever 25 back to its original position one would have to raise the handle 19, FIG. 3, and in so doing one would close the valve 13 by reason of raising the rod 34. Thus the flow of fluid through the meter 12 would be stopped prior to disengagement of the totalizer 17. This feature prevents the use of the dispensing apparatus without use of a totalizer.

Reviewing the steps involved in reversing the procedure, first the lever 25 would be moved to its original position shown in phantom in FIG. 5, then the lock cylinder 18 would be reversed, so that the pin 24 would travel to a position such as that shown in FIG. 3, and in so doing the lock bar 23 would be returned to its original position shown in phantom in FIG. 5, and the latch bar 28 would be moved to the right in FIG. 5, so that the gears 36 would be -disengaged,'thus disengaging the totalizer 17 from the driving shaft 21.

The advantages of this device in the system shown in FIG. 1 are now readily apparent. A single source of pressure fluid can now be used to service a multiplicty of discharge outlets, which outlets are individually metered. Each meter has a plurality of totalizers and each totalizer is independently controlled to the exclusion of the remaining totalizers. Access to the source of pressure fluid will be controlled automatically by the totalizer controls which are interlocked with regulating means in the continuously pressurized fluid line to the meter.

It will be understood that various changes in the details, materials and arrangements of parts which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of this invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the following claims.

It will further be understood that the Abstract of the Disclosure set forth above is intended to provide a nonlegal technical statement of the contents of the disclosure in compliance with the Rules of Practice of the United States Patent Office, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention described and claimed herein.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for meterinlg the flow of fluid through a pressurized line, including a meter in said line, a valve in said line to control the flow of fluid through said meter, a plurality of totalizers positioned to engage said meter upon actuation thereof for registering the amount oi: fluid flowing through said line, a lock bar moveable to a plurality of positions, and independent actuating means connected to each of said totalizers for independently actuating each of said totalizers positioned to engage said lock bar and move it from a first position wherein said lock bar coacts with said independent actuating means to prevent said totalizers from. registering to a second position wherein the totalizer actuated by said independent actuating means registers while the remaini-nIg totalizers are prevented from registering, and return 1 it to its first position, the improvement which comprises:

(a) a lever pivotally mounted in said apparatus;

(b) linkage means connected to said valve and said lever to pivot said lever on opening and closing of said valve; and

(c) a projection on said lock bar positioned to interfere with pivotal movement of said lever when said valve is closed and said lock bar is in said first position, and prevent said valve from being opened until said lock bar has begun to move to said second position, said lever positioned to engage said projection when said valve is opened and prevent return of said lock bar to said first position while said valve remains open.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said linkage means comprises a valve stem connected to said valve, a rod connected to said lever, a handle, and means connecting said handle, said rod, and said stem, to move said rod and said stem upon movement of said handle.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said projection is a pin [fixedly mounted to said lock bar.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said lever has a notch therein, said notch positioned to engage said projection upon rotation of said lever upon opening of said valve when said lock bar has been moved to said second position and interferes with the return of said lock bar to its first position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,048,041 12/1912 Cole 23591 FOREIGN PATENTS 125,137 10/1931 Austria.

JAMES J. GILL, Primary Examiner.

R. S. SALZMAN, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 

